Tyrone keeper Niall Morgan has credited Stephen Cluxton with paving the way for him to play inter-county football.

Morgan has been one of the real finds of Tyrone’s run to Sunday’s Allianz League final and draws obvious comparisons to Cluxton, above right, given his accuracy from placed balls.

Former Dublin manager Pat Gilroy’s novel ploy of sending Cluxton to take long-range frees a few seasons back was pilloried in some quarters at the time but it’s become particularly fashionable now, especially since the Parnells man kicked the winning point in the 2011 All-Ireland final.

“Cluxton is the king of the keepers,” stated Morgan about his opposite number in this Sunday’s Allianz League final.

“He has completely revolutionised it for us. Fifteen years ago, you wouldn’t have heard of a goalkeeper coming up to kick a free whereas now it seems to be a thing a lot of counties are looking for.

“I have been lucky that he did come along while I was playing. And in general, his whole game... his kickouts, the possession he keeps for Dublin, his shot-stopping – you can’t argue with any of it.”

As has been well documented, Morgan has finally made his mark with Tyrone this year having quit his goalkeeping duties for Dungannon Swifts in the Irish League.

The Edendork man said: “I would say that if Stephen hadn’t been hitting frees for Dublin, I don’t think I would be playing Gaelic football at county level.

“I’d still be preparing for the last game of the league for Dungannon Swifts at the minute.

“I would see myself more as an outfielder at club level. And it was probably my free kick-taking ability that got me promoted towards the county scene.

“Considering I hadn’t really done goals in Gaelic that often... I supposed it’s 50-50 – I have him to blame that I’m stuck in goals for the rest of my career. But I have him to thank that I got the play at inter-county level.”

Naturally, Morgan takes inspiration from goalkeepers in soccer too and also references Shane Curran, the veteran who last month won an All-Ireland club title with St Brigid’s having previously played for Athlone Town in the League of Ireland.

“I suppose Peter Schmeichel. He will always be counted as one of the greats. But recently, Craig Gordon, who played for Sunderland.

I always looked up to him and things haven’t gone so well for him so that’s just sort of shown that it can be gone so quick.

“Now he’s playing for Dumbarton or someone like that because of injury.

I think in soccer, you need to be crazier in goals. The likes of Shane Curran epitomises that. But you can’t take anything away from his goalkeeping.”

Given he plays outfield for Edendork, Morgan says he still harbours ambitions of doing likewise for Tyrone.

He said: “I think in the back of my head there’s still a wee tiny dream, that someday I’ll get to wear a white jersey instead of a red one.”